72. Dragonite Island

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Being brought to the island by Dragonite wasn't entirely unexpected. After all, whether it was Ash and Goh during their journeys or other stranded sailors, Dragonites have always been known to rescue those in need.

"Drooo-gah!"( Our new member )

Hearing Kai's thanks, the Dragonites around him squinted their eyes and let out cheerful cries.

Dragonites are naturally kind-hearted Pokémon. When they find ships in distress, they guide them to safety.

Known for their immense strength and speed, it's said that Dragonite can circle the globe in just 16 hours, making them one of the fastest-flying Pokémon in the world.

As Kai appeared unharmed, the Dragonites gradually dispersed. They left him alone on the island, showing no signs of monitoring his actions.

Their lack of concern about him potentially causing trouble was a testament to their trusting nature.

Kai shook his head in mild exasperation.

"With a temperament like this, it's no wonder their habitats are dwindling, and wild Dragonite sightings are so rare nowadays," he muttered. "It's almost impossible to find Dragonite living in the wild anymore."

Looking deeper into the island, Kai noticed that besides the Dragonite, the forest was also home to many of their pre-evolved forms: Dratini and Dragonair.

These Pokémon roamed freely, foraging for berries and enjoying a carefree life.

Pulling out his phone, Kai wasn't surprised to find there was no signal. He snapped a few photos of the idyllic scene for his collection, shook off the raindrops still clinging to him, and headed toward the heart of the island.

As he walked, Haunter emerged from his shadow, intrigued by the sight of Dratini and Dragonair around them.

"Dratini and Dragonair are so sleek and elegant," Haunter commented, "but why do they turn chubby and orange after evolving into Dragonite?"

Kai chuckled. "It's not that strange. This world doesn't always follow logic. To be honest, I think Milotic looks more like it could be the final evolution of Dratini and Dragonair."

Haunter's eyes widened. "Oh? What makes you say that?"

"It's not just about their appearance or size," Kai explained. "Have you heard of the Marvel Scale ability?"

Haunter shook his head. "Nope, what's that?"

Kai smiled knowingly. "Pokémon with the Marvel Scale ability gain increased defence when affected by a status condition. It's an extremely rare trait. Across all Pokémon, only Dratini, Dragonair, and Milotic have this ability. Doesn't that suggest a connection between them?"

Haunter grinned. "Interesting theory! I can see it now."

With that, Kai continued exploring, eventually finding himself at the base of a waterfall. The cascading river formed a crystal-clear lake below, surrounded by smooth rocks.

Many Dratini had gathered there, playing, resting, and chasing one another. It appeared to be their nesting area.

Seeing Kai and Haunter, the Dratini approached curiously. Although naturally shy, they seemed bolder when gathered in such numbers in their familiar territory.

Kai grinned. "Alright, everyone, come out and join the fun!"

He released his Pokémon from their Poké Balls, including Zapdos. The sight of such unique Pokémon excited the Dratini, who began circling them in delight. Kai's Pokémon, equally playful, joined in on the games.

Amid the cheerful chaos, Kai noticed a lone Dratini curled up in the corner. It looked on with a mix of envy and apprehension, its eyes betraying its hesitation.

Haunter noticed as well. "Why is that Dratini sitting there by itself? Do you think it's being excluded by the others?"

Kai frowned. "It doesn't look like it's being excluded. It seems… afraid of me."

He approached cautiously, but as he drew near, the Dratini retreated further. Sighing, Kai decided not to push it and stepped back.

The sound of footsteps caught his attention, and several Dragonites approached from the distance. They nodded in approval at the sight of the playful Dratini and even cast friendly glances toward Kai.

"Haunter," Kai said, "can you ask them what's going on with that Dratini?"

Haunter floated over to speak with the Dragonite. After a brief exchange, it returned to Kai with a sombre expression.

"Turns out it's a sad story," Haunter said. "That Dratini's mother left the island a while ago and never returned. Since then, it's become withdrawn and refuses to interact with the others or leave the nest."

Kai's heart sank. "Did something happen to its mother?"

"Not exactly," Haunter replied. "Apparently, its mother ran off with a trainer's Dragonite to get some milk. One of the Dragonites here spotted her a few months ago, and she seemed to be living a happy life."

Kai blinked in disbelief. "She… abandoned her child to elope with someone else's Dragonite? That's... not what I expected."

He glanced back at the solitary Dratini, his heart aching. Despite knowing its mother was alive, the Dratini's situation seemed even more pitiful.

Kai reached into his bag and pulled out a can of Pokémon food. Walking carefully toward the Dratini, he opened the lid, letting the delicious aroma waft through the air.

"Hey, don't be afraid. This food's really tasty. Give it a try," Kai said gently.

The Dratini sniffed the air, and its stomach growled audibly. Hesitating for a moment, it crept closer, snatched the can, and darted back to its corner to eat.

Kai smiled softly. "I don't know how to comfort you, little one. But life is unpredictable. At least your mother is happy now, even if she isn't here with you. That has to count for something, right?"

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